for daily devotional reading, (the "Morning Watch"), for intensive study and for Bible study group discussion, is an experiment. The Scripture selections are intended to present each week the most salient passages from the New Testament dealing with that aspect of the Master's character which is being considered. The daily comments are purposely made individual in their application; suggestive and devotional rather than informational. The Weekly Comments offer opportunity for a large amount of careful study, and their full value will be felt only by those who read and thoughtfully consider the Scripture references upon which the conclusions of the author have been based. It is hoped that the arrangement of the book will make its use convenient for individual devotional reading as well as for Bible study groups.

The author acknowledges his special indebtedness to Professor James Everett Frame, D.D., who with great care read the manuscript and criticised it from the viewpoint of New Testament scholarship.

CHAPTER I

The Master's Joy

DAILY READINGS

First Day, First Week

Matt. 9: 10-15. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners? But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast.

Have you thought of the Master largely in terms of sorrowful self-sacrifice? Then note carefully to-day's picture of him as he sits at dinner. He is plainly happy. He is with his friends and is helping people who need help, and he so rejoices in his work that he compares his disciples and himself to a bridal party on a honeymoon. Even when we turn from such a scene as this to think of the days of Jesus' persecution, we find the note of joy unquenched. "Rejoice in that day," he says, "and leap for joy." "The fruits of the Spirit," according to Paul, "are love, joy, peace." Is your life, by its radiation of real good-cheer and goodwill, bearing testimony to your friendship with the Master?

Second Day, First Week

Matt. 9:2. And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.

John 16:33. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 23: II. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Wherever the Master was, one of the most familiar words on his lips was, "Be of good cheer!" Consider the power to make men happy, to win influence, to make life worth living to others, that lies in such an attitude. Recall the proverb: "Heaviness in the heart maketh it stoop, but a good word maketh it glad." A Boston newspaper once printed this item: "The day was dark and gloomy, but Phillips Brooks walked down through Newspaper Row and all was bright." Are you commending your Christian GospelGospel means good news-by such an attitude?

Third Day, First Week

Matt. 6:28, 29. And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

John 15:13-15. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you.

John 2: 1, 2. And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage.

One of the central tests of any character is the nature

of its pleasures. What do you call real joy? Jesus enjoyed nature and friendship and social life, and so should we. Jesus loved good health, and spent much of his time healing the bodies of men. Jesus loved the best reading at his disposal and was perfectly at home in the prophets. All his joys were fine and high. Without going deeper into the distinctly religious sources of Jesus' joy, examine your own heart and see if you can stand the test of this question: Where do I look for my happiness?

Fourth Day, First Week

Luke 15:3-10. And he spake unto them this parable, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Almost every young man or woman begins seeking joy through getting, and has to learn by experience that the deepest satisfaction in life lies in serving. Can you remember doing some real kindness for a person who had no special reason to expect it from you? Has anything in your life lingered in your memory as a much more deeply satisfactory experience? Jesus' joy was at heart this satisfaction which comes from finding lost and needy people and helping them This source of exhaustless delight is at every man's hand every day, and yet how many let its treasures go unclaimed!

out.

Fifth Day, First Week

Matt. 13:44. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Matt. 25:21-23. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

When we give up an immediate pleasure for character's sake, we are impressed with how much we have sacrificed. Jesus was impressed with how much a man had gained. Consider what you have gained by any sacrifice you ever made for character: The approval of God through conscience, the satisfaction of overcoming your moral enemy, the greater power to conquer the next time, the approbation of those who care most for you, increased power of usefulness to others. How much more you gained than you sacrificed! Ought not all such sacrifice to be made with joy? Nobody ever found any real, solid and permanent satisfaction in doing wrong.

Sixth Day, First Week

Matt. 5:3-12. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and perse